Free Walking Tours in Porto

Settled on the banks of the River Douro, Porto boasts charming architecture and friendly people. Wander down the winding, cobbled streets lined with centuries-old churches and thriving cafes on a free walking tour in Porto.

Having a knowledgeable tour guide to show you the city’s history and culture is the way to go.

You will find below everything you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best experiences for sightseeing in Porto.

How do free walking tours in Porto work?

Free walking tours do not have a fixed price – you can pay what you feel is fair and appropriate. The amount will be decided by you at the end of the tour, and paid directly to the tour guide.

You can reserve free walking tours in Porto online free of charge. Make sure you bring some cash on you, so you can tip your expert guide at the end of your trip.

Some tour operators may ask for a credit card and will charge a small amount of money if you don't show up.

How much should I tip for a free walking tour in Porto?

The majority of visitors tend to tip between €10 and €15 per person. For those that are feeling generous and think the tour guide deserves a higher amount, some travelers give tips up to €50.

What are the best free walking tours in Porto?

There is a range of free walking tours in Porto that vary widely according to the type of tour and which districts in the city you choose to visit.

Free walking tour of Porto city center

• Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Language: English
• Stops: Aliados Avenue, Freedom Square, Lello Bookstore, Lions Square, University of Porto, Clérigos Tower, Ribeira, San Bento railway station, Porto Cathedral

This is one of the most popular free walking tours in Porto. If this is your first trip to Porto, then this is a great free walking tour to have a fantastic introduction to the city and its diverse districts.

Most tours start on Avenida dos Aliados on Freedom Square, which is located in the touristic heart of the city.

The tour guide will then show you some of the city’s most popular and famous tourist attractions, including the mesmerizing São Bento train station, which is filled with traditional blue azulejos -ceramic tiles.

Other notable points of interest you’ll admire include the Lello Bookstore – famous for having inspired the Harry Potter novels and the Bolhão Market, where you can pick up some souvenirs to take back home. You’ll also make a stopover at the Majestic cafe for a refreshment break.

For a step back in time, you’ll visit the University of Porto. Founded in 1911, it is Portugal’s second largest university and one of the country’s highest-ranking educational institutions – it’s beautiful to marvel at.

Next up, as you walk away from the university, you’ll see a tall bell tower in the eye’s view – the Clérigos Church and Tower – a soaring 76 meters high bell tower that was designed by Italian-born Baroque master Nicolau Nasoni from 1745-1763.

Visitors can climb its steep staircase for some of the most magnificent vistas of Porto from above. Most tours end at the street of Cais da Ribeira or at the same location where you started.

Porto mysteries free walking night tour

• Duration: 2 hours
• Language: Spanish
• Stops: Center of Photography (old prison), Aliados Avenue, Freedom Square, National Theatre São João, D.Luís I Bridge, Serra do Pilar Monastery, Morro Garden

If you thought Porto was impressive by day, then you have another thing coming on this free night tour. Taking a tour of Porto at night offers visitors the chance to see the city in a whole new light.

As dusk sets in, you’ll wander through the winding, cobbled streets of Porto’s historic center in search of centuries-old secrets hidden within the walls of the city’s symbolic sites.

You can expect to marvel at the Clérigos Tower, the São Bento train station, as well as the famed Serra do Pilar Monastery in Gaia – an imposing 17th-century monastery that offers stellar riverside vistas from its cupola.

Over the course of your 2-hour tour, your knowledgeable guide will allow you to discover the dark side of this enchanting city with tales of corruption, crime, as well as the supernatural for an out worldly adventure.

Bolhão and Batalha sunset free walking tour

• Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Language: English
• Stops: Bolhão Market, São Bento railway station, Sá da Bandeira Theatre, Freedom Square, A Brasileira Coffee Shop,  Majestic Cafe, Aliados Avenue, Dom João I Square, D.Luís I Bridge, Gaia Cable Car, Serra do Pilar Monastery, Morro Garden

Bolhão and Bathalha are some of Porto’s most glamorous and vibrant neighborhoods. Locals flock here for their antique boutique stores, market shops and speakeasy-style bars.

On this cultural walking tour of Bolhao and Batalha, you can expect to see an alternative side of Porto, as you make pit stops at bustling cafes, ancient theaters and breathtaking train stations.

You’ll start by visiting the astonishing São Bento train station that promises to take you back in time to the elegant, bygone age of Portugal’s rail travel where you can snap pics of the magical interior of the train station to you’re heart's content.

You’ll continue your tour onto Rua do Bonjardim for a delve into two of Porto’s most important cultural jaunts: A Brasileira Coffee Shop and the Sá da Bandeira Theatre – both of which act and have acted as popular meeting points for a long string of famous Portuguese artists.

Then just around the corner, you’ll encounter Dom João I Square, where you can admire the art deco building of the Rivoli Theatre – one of the hallmarks of the city’s ever-evolving cultural scene. Your guide will tell you how an array of avant-garde productions take place here, including theatre, music, cinema, dance and even contemporary circus.

You will then stroll through Porto’s cobbled streets to the Majestic Cafe. As the name suggests, it is truly sublime and a popular tourist honeypot. Flocks of visitors come here to marvel at the stunning beaux arts interior, opulent woodwork and cherub ornaments.

You’ll then cross the Douro river for an obligatory photo opportunity on the D.Luís I Bridge, before finishing your tour at the Gaia Cable Car Viewpoint – one of the most breathtaking lookouts that the city has to offer.

In which languages are free walking tours in Porto operated?

English is the most common language for free walking tours in Porto. However, you’ll also find a number of Spanish-speaking guides on certain free walking tours, to cater to the tourists that visit Portugal from its neighboring country.

Where do free walking tours in Porto start?

The majority of the free walking tours in Porto begin at the Avenida dos Aliados on Freedom Square.

How long do free walking tours in Porto last?

Most free tours in Porto last around 2 to 3 hours. The majority operate in the morning, but there are options to take afternoon tours. Some tours also take place in the evening.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Porto?

Morning is the most popular time to take a free walking tour in Porto as the weather is pleasant but still cooler than in the afternoon, which is particularly welcome during the hot, summer months.

Should Porto free walking tours be booked online?

It is best to book your free walking tour online so that the expert guide knows how many people will join the tour. Free walking tours are popular in Porto and get booked up quickly during the peak summer season.

Booking in advance online is recommended to avoid disappointment and ensure you can make the most of your time in the city without being turned away from a tour. It is free of cost to book a tour online.